State health officials will be hosting multiple events to bring more awareness and attention to breast cancer — a disease that kills around 400 women each year in Mississippi.
The Magnolia State has one of the highest breast cancer death rates in the nation, yet more than one-quarter of women do not receive regular screenings that could save their lives, officials with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) note.
A woman can be diagnosed with breast cancer at any age, but some are more likely to be affected than others. Black women are reported to be more likely than any other demographic to die from the disease. Most at risk of developing breast cancer are women over age 50, those whose mothers or sisters have had breast cancer, women who are childless or start their families after age 30, and those who are overweight.
“The Breast and Cervical Cancer Program is dedicated to the fight for screening and early detection to eradicate this disease,” Amy Gibbons with the MSDH said. “If someone you love needs a screening, do not hesitate to reach out and let us connect you with an enrolling provider in your area.”
By bringing awareness to the disease and encouraging early detection through the following events, healthcare leaders are hoping more women will be screened early and lives will be saved:
- Second annual Louisa Denson Wellness Fair and 5K Run & Walk on Saturday, October 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lefleur’s Playground on Riverside Park Circle in Jackson.
- Breast and cervical screening on Thursday, October 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mississippi Trade Mart in Jackson — The screening is for uninsured and underinsured women ages 21 to 64. Pre-registration is required and can be completed here.
- Know It to Beat It Webinar Series. MSDH is partnering with the Mississippi Comprehensive Cancer Control Program to present the live series. Physicians, advocates, and community leaders will answer questions, debunk myths, and share information on the prevention, diagnosis, screening, and advancements in breast cancer treatment. To register for the Zoom series and see a list of speakers, click here.
- The webinars will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on the following dates: October 2, October 9, October 16, October 23, October 29, and October 30
Screening mammograms are important because they can find signs of cancer before a patient or health provider can spot them, officials add. Experts say detecting cancer early means quicker treatment, more effective treatment, a better chance of recovering, and less risk to one’s health and life.
